Location: Bowdoin / McKeen Center / Service and Leadership / Aspirations In Maine

Aspirations In Maine

Aspirations Top Image While Maine's high school graduation rate is among the highest in the nation, the percentage of students who pursue post secondary education is significantly lower.  The Aspirations in Maine program works to combat the growing gap between Maine high school students' college intentions and their actual enrollment.  Through student initiative, the McKeen Center and Bowdoin College have become great resources in getting high school students in Maine to consider college as a post secondary option.

"At first the idea of college truly intimidated me, and everything seemed extremely overwhelming, but having this experience has shown me that college is something I can do." - a local high school student

High School Visit Days 

Students from all over Maine come to Bowdoin to experience life on a college campus.  Each student is matched with a Bowdoin mentor for the day to follow their schedule, sit in on a class, and eat lunch in the dining hall.  Students hear briefly from staff of the Admissions and Financial Aid departments, and have the chance to discuss questions with a panel of students who grew up in Maine.

College Students for College

College Students for College is a student led service group that provides support to high school students navigating the process of postsecondary planning. This student group takes on the logistical planning of the high school visit days in addition to partnering with local high schools to provide regular post-secondary advising for their students.  These relationships are manifested in two ways.

  • College Student Advisors: Bowdoin students work with advisories at Mt. Ararat High School to discuss different options for postsecondary education as well as individually mentor students throughout the actual application process. 
  • College Tours: Like mini high school visit days, small groups of students from Brunswick High School regularly visit campus for a campus tour, lunch in the dining hall, and a brief conversation with representatives from Admissions and Financial Aid.

Student Leadership

Aspirations in Maine began as a student initiative in partnership with the Mitchell Institute.  Under the guidance of the McKeen Center, students began to coordinate the high school visit days.  From there, interest grew and through their own initiative students developed regular programming in partnership with the local high schools.  Today all these programs continue to be successful under the student leadership of the College Students for College service group. 

Anyone interested in learning more about the center's Aspirations in Maine programs or who would like to get involved, please contact Caitlin Callahan, assistant director for student community service.